Truck just dies

[doorgunner@72]

My grandsons 1999ranger will just die going down the road it will only restart when he puts the auto transmission in 2nd sometimes in park

 

[Earl43P]

Welcome to The Ranger Station!

It appears to have two problems.

We'll need more information about when it dies. Such as:
Can you hear the fuel pump run for two seconds when the key is turned to Run (do not crank the starter, just LISTEN for the fuel pump in the Run position, then Off, then Run again. It should hum for two seconds each time you go from Off to Run).

Is there SPARK at any of the spark plugs?

If it dies (stalls) when you LET OFF THE GAS, clean or replace the IAC on the throttle body. The Idle Air Controller controls the idle. If it is shutting off while your foot is giving it gas, it's NOT the IAC.

For the restarting, if it engages the starter when in any gear selection EXCEPT P or N, then you need to adjust or replace the DTRS. That is a Digital Transmission Range Sensor, which is commonly referred to as the Neutral Safety Switch (old terminology).

The DTRS is easy enough to replace, and located on the side of the trans at the spindle where the shift linkage is connected. Once installed, you adjust it such that the Reverse Lights come on in Reverse. Then, the starter will only engage in P or N, as it's supposed to. The DTRS should not cause the engine to shut off while driving.

It would also be helpful to know which engine is in this truck.

 

[doorgunner@72]

Ok thank you I will check them in the morning truck is back in Ks I'm in mo going to check it out will probably be posting you again will try these out first thank you so much

 

[RonD]

The column shifter on Ford trucks can become loose, this makes slack in the cable so trans switch doesn't make good contact, and starter motor won't work.
If starter motor works but engine just won't fire up it won't be the trans switch, BUT, starting in 2nd gear means something is wrong in the safety switch

Google: ford ranger column shifter loose

All Ford trucks use the same type of shift linkage.
There are a few videos out there on fixing it, there are 2 screws, under the dash, that loosen up and even fall out.


Yes, stalling while driving is probably unrelated to the shift linkage, a little more info on how the truck "dies" would be helpful in narrowing down the problem.